Seasonal Trends in the Chemical Composition of Ten Range Plants in South Texas
- 1 March 1985
- journal article
- research article
- Published by JSTOR in Journal of Range Management
- Vol. 38 (2) , 154-157
- https://doi.org/10.2307/3899260
Abstract
The chemical composition of 10 range plants [Aristida purpurea, Bothriochloa saccharoides, Celtis pallida, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris pluriflora, Condalia obovata, Dichanthium annulatum, Eupatorium odoratum, Opuntia linheimeri, and Parthenium hysterophorus] of dietary importance to cattle and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was determined on the Texas A&I University Range and Wildlife Research Pastures from October 1980-September 1981. Samples were analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), lignin, organic matter (OM), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) concentration. The grasses were lower (P < .05) in CP and Ca concentration than the non-grasses, while non-grasses had lower (P <.05) NDF content. On the basis of digestibility, fiber content, protein, and mineral concentration, forage quality was highest in the spring. Winter forage samples were of a higher quality than were late summer samples. Low phosphorus concentrations were common throught the year.This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Seasonal Nutrient Content in Food Plants of White-Tailed Deer on the South Texas PlainsJournal of Range Management, 1981
- Seasonal Food Habits of White-Tailed Deer in the South Texas PlainsJournal of Range Management, 1979